Adam Ottavino ready to close again for Rockies

By Patrick Saunders

The Denver Post

Posted:
08/10/2016 11:03:12 PM MDT

Updated:
08/10/2016 11:03:27 PM MDT

ARLINGTON, Texas — Fifteen months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Adam Ottavino is again the Rockies' closer. With the bullpen struggling mightily on the recent 3-5 homestand, he understands the challenge he's facing.

"We win as a team and we lose as a team, especially down there in the bullpen. Those guys are like my brothers," Ottavino said here Wednesday before the Rockies played Texas. "But right now it's about winning. We have to find a way to win those games. So I don't think it matters what role (manager Walt Weiss) puts us in: We have to find a way to get the job done. Now I have to do my part."

Ottavino, who replaced rookie Carlos Estevez, is on a remarkable roll. Entering Wednesday, he had made 15 appearances this season, having allowed no runs and just one hit. He last allowed an earned run Sept. 6, 2014 vs. San Diego. That calculates to a scoreless streak of 26 ⅓ innings, the longest active streak in the majors.

The Rockies were careful not to overburden Ottavino when he returned to the team July 5, but he feels strong now, and ready for the ninth-inning role.

"The stress has already been there, and I've already pitched in close games in the seventh and eighth innings," he said. "If anything, closing is even more regimented. I won't be throwing one-plus (innings), just the ninth. So I'm ready. If my arm wasn't ready, I wouldn't be pitching."

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Before his injury, Ottavino's fastball was touching 98 mph and his slider was almost unhittable. How close is he to reaching that form again?

"I still think that was the best I've ever pitched," he said. "I just think I was a little sharper and throwing a little harder, maybe. But it's very close now, very similar. But at that point, I felt like I could get away with anything. Right now, I still have to make all of my pitches."

Ottavino's fastball velocity is averaging 94.1 mph this season, down just a tick from his 94.9 mph in April 2015 before his elbow injury, according to Fangraphs. His slider velocity, 83.8 mph last season, is at 81.5 mph now.

CarGo no go

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez remains hobbled by his sore and swollen left ankle, and he was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive day. He originally turned the ankle while swinging at a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 3. He has been in and out of the lineup since.

"It's day by day, but it's going a little slower, because there is a lot of swelling going on," he said. "We need to get that out of there. So it's a little frustrating, but I'm feeling positive that I'll be back soon."

Gonzalez and Weiss don't believe the outfielder will need to go on the disabled list.

"We are pretty positive that I should be able to play in the next couple of days," Gonzalez said. "But at the same time, I don't want to go out there and try to play and have to sit down for another two."

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